title: Effects of a prolonged maximal run on running economy and running mechanics.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to document the effects of a prolonged (30 min) maximal run (PMR) on running economy (RE) and running mechanics in 16 male runners (mean VO2max = 59.0 +/- 4.5 ml.kg-1.min-1). After completing 60 min of treadmill accommodation, each subject performed two 10 min economy runs at 200 m.min-1. Subjects were also filmed at 100 fps during the last 30 s of each run in order to quantify 20 temporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait descriptors previously associated with RE variation. Following the second run, each subject completed the PMR at 85% of his predicted velocity at VO2max (89% VO2max). One, two, and four days after the PMR, subjects repeated the 10 min economy run. No significant difference (P greater than or equal to 0.05) in RE (range = 42.3-42.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) was observed following the PMR. Biomechanical analyses also indicated that, with the exception of one variable (plantar flexion angle at toe-off), gait characteristics remained unaltered after the PMR. When considered from a cross-disciplinary perspective, these data suggest that a 30 min maximal run does not increase the aerobic demand of running or disrupt the running mechanics of moderately trained male subjects who perform subsequent submaximal runs over the short term.
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Research Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Krahenbuhl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012420:Running